Why Felix Magath could yet save Fulham’s season

Felix Magath is well known for his gruelling training sessions (Picture: Getty)

Beneath all the turmoil that is blighting Fulham’s decision to replace Rene Meulensteen with Felix Magath is the belief, at least from Shahid Khan and Alistair Mackintosh, that their new manager can save this club.

It’s a trail of thought that doesn’t necessarily transcend world football – certainly not Germany.

The commentators from Magath’s home nation speak of a man living in the past – dictatorial, reluctant to incorporate new technology, militant in his ways.

He goes on: ‘There is no future for Magath in Germany, apparently, he is so widely disliked. He pushes his players beyond their edge. He is suspicious, controlling; all the worst human traits under the sun.’

All of this paints a portrait of a man who represents everything that modern football has sought to leave behind.

And yet one thing is so often excluded in these brazen attempts to smear Magath and his workings: he is successful.

He gets a reaction. Usually, in terms of results and performances, a positive one

Three Bundesliga titles are perhaps his most pertinent achievements but, equally, his knack for turning clubs around – Nurnberg, Werder Bremen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Stuttgart – deserves recognition, for that is exactly what is required at Fulham.

His infamously intense fitness training sessions have caused the most disdain. Reportedly, he pushes players beyond breaking point – once emptying their water bottles after a gruelling forest run merely to see what their reaction would be.

Yet, that is just the thing: he gets a reaction. Usually, in terms of results and performances, a positive one.

That may well only be for the short term – how long, realistically, can a group of players continue to play for a manager they will most likely despise? But if it preserves our Premier League status, perhaps it is worthwhile.

By no means does this condone the actions of the club – sacking Meulensteen is still reprehensible, and the shambles that has followed continues to embarrass – but our new manager could easily save our season.

That’s no guarantee but statistics usually speak for themselves, and Magath’s are really quite complimentary.